For this feeling of wonder shows that you are a philosopher,
since wonder is the only beginning of philosophy.

Monday, 25 April 2016

The Devoted Friend: Summary

Reading-Text
Seven, Oscar
Wilde

Exposition
of the Ugly Side of Human Nature

Oscar
Wilde keeps prominent place in the realm of literature, which pinpoints the
dark side of human behaviour. He ranks those Victorian Literary Giants, who
exposed the shams and follies of English society in the most painful, sharp and
bitter manner. In this story, describing the two contrary characters of
friendship, he uses quite different and unique setting and situation.

Friendship,
Mostly Proven One Sided

The
story is narrated by a green Linnet who is speaking on the topic of friendship.
Before beginning this story, he asks water rat what friendship is? Water rat
replies that it is always one sided. One who expects from his friend for the
same devotion and sincerity, what he shows then he is bound to suffer. The
green Linnet began to tell the story to illustrate its point of view.

Friendship,
A Passion, A Feeling of Devotion or Mere Clap Trap or Hoax or Either Hypocrisy

The
story depicts the miserable state of a poor man named “Hans”. He was an honest
and sincere fellow. He had many friends, but “Hugh” the miller was the closest
one. He lived in a small hut and had a small garden in which all sorts of
flowers had grown. He worked very hard and so the garden was always full of
flowers. The garden was the only source of earning for Hans. The miller, who
was economically very sound, believed that real friends should have everything
in common. He therefore used to pluck the flowers and fruits whenever he passed
by the garden of his friend. Contrary to this, for his own assets, he believed
flour is one thing and friendship is another.

The
Miller a Fair Weather Friend, knows how to Take

Hugh
remained his friend during spring, summer and autumn but in winter, he felt bad
when there was no flower or fruit in the garden of Hans. Miller knew that
during these seasons, his friend was even starving, but he did not pay any
visit to his poverty stricken friend. He justified his attitude by declaring
‘When people are in trouble, they should be left alone and not be bothered by
visitors.’ As the winter was over, again he proved to be a fair weather friend.
He went to Hans along with his big basket for flowers. At every process, it
seems that the miller always dealt him with selfish motive. The miller showed
his generosity by promising that he would give him his wheelbarrow. He told
Hans that it was utterly out of order. Hans replied that he had a plank of wood
and so he would be able to repair the wheelbarrow. Hearing this, a new
ambitious idea struck the mind of the miller. He thought of repairing of the
roof his barn with a plank of wood from Hans. He got the plank of wood from his
innocent friend. He asserted his claim that he must get the plank of wood for
he was going to give him his wheelbarrow. Besides, he handed over a big empty
basket to fill it with fresh flowers.

Poor
Hans Pays the Price of His Deep Sense of Sacrifice, which Confirms the dictum
“Innocence has to Suffer”

The
miller keeps on exploiting his simple and innocent friend’s passion of
devotion. He takes tiresome work from Hans to carry the sack of flour to the
market. Hans is compelled to give up every act of his earning of livelihood for
the sake of so-called friendship. He even went to the extent of driving
miller’s sheep to the mountain and deserted his time, his flowers. Finally,
when the miller’s son falls from the ladder and takes some injuries. The miller
asks Hans to go to fetch the doctor. It was terribly windy and dark night. The
miller, being very clever persuaded Hans to go in the stormy night. Hans agreed
and set out on his journey. Unfortunately, Hans lost his way. He wandered in
the moor and drowned there. The miller mourned the death of his friend and led
the procession of his burial.